The Least I Can Do

“He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.” (Luke 16:10, NKJV)

I don’t know about you, but I tend to walk right over the clothes on the ground on my way to something more important. I heard of a man once who lived in a commune. Everyone was into being free to be himself. The only problem was that no one was into doing the dishes. So the dishes stacked, the cock roaches gathered, and the house stank. All of this freedom finally resulted in the man leaving the commune because he couldn’t handle the stench.

Often, it seems, we don’t have time for the “little” things—dishes, laundry, correspondence, mowing the lawn, greeting our neighbor, or telling others how much we appreciate them. But these little things lead to bigger things. Sometimes our heads are so far in the clouds that we can’t see the opportunities right before us.

God has not called us to great feats but to being faithful in little things. When I look for leaders I look for those who are faithful in the little things. Who stays to clean up after everyone else has left? Who shows up when no one else comes? If I recognize these qualities in a potential leader, then how much more does God?

So the next time you may be tempted to leave that dish in the sink, step over those clothes, or keep that letter unanswered on your desk, consider that Someone is watching and deciding if we are fit to be entrusted with the true riches.